Concord Section 8 Calculator — Contra Costa County Income Limits & Rent Estimate

Housing Authority Serving Concord

• Agency: Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa (HACCC)
• Jurisdiction: Concord & Contra Costa County (excluding Richmond and Pittsburg)
• Waiting list status: Opens periodically — monitor contracostahousing.org
• Application portal: contracostahousing.org
• Main office: 3133 Estudillo St, Martinez, CA 94553
• Phone: (925) 957-7000

The Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa serves one of the Bay Area’s most geographically and economically diverse regions. Concord, the county’s largest city, sits at the intersection of the I-680 and Highway 4 corridors — a commuter hub with rents that, while lower than San Francisco or Oakland, have climbed significantly over the past decade. HACCC administers Housing Choice Vouchers for Concord residents as well as dozens of other Contra Costa cities, making it a vital resource for working families priced out of market-rate rentals.

HACCC also administers project-based rental assistance in several affordable housing developments across the county. These project-based vouchers are tied to specific units rather than portable, but they offer an alternative pathway to subsidized housing when the tenant-based waitlist is closed. HACCC partners with Contra Costa County’s Health, Housing and Homeless Services division and other agencies to provide wraparound support for households with complex needs.

Income Limits & Fair Market Rent in Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County is part of the Oakland–Berkeley–Hayward HUD Fair Market Rent area, one of the most expensive metro areas in the country. The 2026 AMI for this region is approximately $155,900 for a family of four. Eligibility thresholds:

Household Size	30% AMI (Extremely Low)	50% AMI (Very Low)	80% AMI (Low)
1 person	$38,450	$64,100	$102,550
2 persons	$43,950	$73,250	$117,200
4 persons	$49,500	$82,500	$132,000
6 persons	$59,400	$99,000	$158,400

Despite these limits appearing high in absolute terms, housing costs in Concord and across Contra Costa routinely consume more than half the income of lower-wage workers. That gap is precisely what the voucher program addresses.

HUD’s 2026 Fair Market Rents for the Oakland–Berkeley–Hayward metro are approximately: Studio $1,751 · 1BR $2,142 · 2BR $2,740 · 3BR $3,720 · 4BR $4,350. HACCC’s payment standards are set within this FMR range, typically at or near 110% to improve the ability of voucher holders to compete in Contra Costa’s tight rental market. Your rent share — about 30% of your adjusted monthly income — is subtracted from the payment standard to determine the voucher subsidy amount.

Run your Concord rent estimate →

How to Apply for Section 8 in Concord

1. Monitor HACCC’s website for list openings — Visit contracostahousing.org frequently and subscribe to any available email alerts. HACCC may also publicize openings through Contra Costa County’s social services channels and local nonprofits.
2. Assemble required documentation — Photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security numbers or cards for everyone in the household, current pay stubs or benefit award letters for all income sources, and birth certificates or school records for children.
3. Submit your application during the open window — Applications are accepted online through HACCC’s portal. Submit as early as possible in the enrollment window; even lottery-based systems often close early if a maximum number of applications is reached.
4. Record your confirmation number — Screenshot or print your application confirmation. This is your only proof of application before HACCC sends official correspondence.
5. Maintain current contact information — HACCC sends eligibility notices by mail and email. Update your address, phone, and email immediately if anything changes while you’re on the list.
6. Prepare for the eligibility interview — When your name is reached, HACCC will schedule a full eligibility review. At that point, all income, assets, and household composition are re-verified. Once approved, you’ll receive a voucher and have a fixed search period — typically 60–90 days — to find and lease an approved unit.

Waiting List Tips for Concord

• Apply to HACCC and check Richmond, Pittsburg PHAs too: The housing authorities in Richmond and Pittsburg are separate and serve their respective cities. If you have flexibility in where you live in Contra Costa, applying to multiple agencies can shorten your overall wait.
• Ask about project-based openings: HACCC’s project-based voucher waitlists for specific developments sometimes open independently. These units are tied to a location but can be easier to access than the tenant-based list.
• Explore Concord’s local rental assistance: The City of Concord and Contra Costa County both administer emergency rental assistance programs that can bridge gaps while you wait for a voucher.
• Prepare a strong rental application: Landlords in Contra Costa sometimes hesitate to accept vouchers due to perceived inspection delays. Having a clean rental history, references, and prompt responses to inspection scheduling requests improves your chances of finding a unit quickly once voucher in hand.
• Contact 211: Dial 2-1-1 in Contra Costa County for referrals to housing counselors, emergency assistance, and other programs that can support you while on the HACCC waitlist.